A Goal and Shelter Device

ABSTRACT

A collapsible goal and shelter system is provided with a collapsible frame, a net, and a cover. The collapsible frame includes an erect configuration and a collapsed configuration. The net is operable to be attached to the frame, when the frame is in the erect configuration to thereby form a goal. The cover is operable to be attached to the frame, when the frame is in the erect configuration to thereby form a shelter.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a goal and shelter device, inparticular to a collapsible goal and shelter device, preferably onewhich, in a collapsed state at least, is substantially portable.

BACKGROUND

Sports goals well known in the art. Goals are used in many sports andoften involve a frame which defines an area into which a projectile(often a ball) may be struck to score points/goals. The goal often alsoincludes a net attached to the frame and operable to retain theprojectile within the goal. Goals are used in many games such as, forexample, football (soccer), hockey, etc.

Sports shelters are also well known in the art and are often situatednext to a sports ground, such as a football or baseball pitch, and allowusers not participating in the game (coaches, substitute players etc.)to sit in a comfortable, position sheltered from the weather. In thesports arena, sheltering from extremely hot weather is just as importantto preserve energy as being sheltered from rain and wind. In view ofthis, such shelters are often used in places were any extreme weathercondition may be experienced.

Such shelters are normally static and solid in construction. This meansthat it is necessary to erect a permanent shelter at every sportsground. Furthermore, owing to their solid construction, they oftenrequire lots of materials and are therefore costly to construct.

It is an aim of objects of the present invention to address the abovementioned or other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided acollapsible goal and shelter system, the system comprising; acollapsible frame comprising a plurality of frame members, thecollapsible frame having a first, erect configuration, and a second,collapsed configuration; the frame defining an opening in the erectconfiguration; the system further comprising a net operable to beattached to the frame, when the frame is in the erect configuration tothereby form a goal; and the system further comprising a cover operableto be attached to the frame, when the frame is in the erectconfiguration to thereby form a shelter.

Preferably, the frame comprises two posts, which are preferably operableto be upwardly extending when the frame is in the erect configuration,which posts may each be formed from two or more post elements, which maybe detachably connectable. The two or more post elements may be looselysecured together by an elastic member, which may be an elastic cord, forexample. The elastic member may extend internally through a portion ofthe or each post element.

Preferably, the frame comprises a cross bar, which is preferablyoperable to be substantially horizontally extending when the frame is inthe erect configuration, which crossbar may be formed from two or morecrossbar elements which may be detachably connectable. In oneembodiment, the crossbar may be formed from three or more crossbarelements which may be detachably connectable. The two or more cross barelements may be loosely secured together by an elastic member, which maybe an elastic cord, for example. The elastic member may extendinternally through a portion of the or each cross bar element.

The same elastic member that extends through a portion of the post mayalso extend through a portion of the crossbar, and/or a crossbarconnected connector, such as to loosely secure together at least aportion of the post and at least a portion of the crossbar.

The cross bar is suitably arranged to be attachable to the posts todefine an opening, when the frame is in the erect configuration.

Preferably, the frame comprises two side members. The side members mayeach be formed from at least two side member elements which may bedetachably connectable. The side members may be operable to be operableto be detachably connected to the posts. In the erect configuration,each side member may be attached at or toward each end thereof to eachof the posts. The two or more side member elements may be looselysecured together by an elastic member, which may be an elastic cord, forexample. The elastic member may extend internally through a portion ofthe or each side member element.

Preferably, the frame comprises a lower support bar. The lower supportbar may be formed from at least two lower support bar elements, whichmay be detachably connectable. In the erect configuration, the lowersupport bar is preferably operable to connect between the two sidemembers. The two or more lower support bar elements may be looselysecured together by an elastic member, which may be an elastic cord, forexample. The elastic member may extend internally through a portion ofthe or each lower support bar element.

Preferably, the frame comprises an upper support bar. The upper supportbar may be formed from at least two upper support bar elements, whichmay be detachably connectable. In the erect configuration, the uppersupport bar is preferably operable to connect between the two sidemembers. The two or more upper support bar elements may be looselysecured together by an elastic member, which may be an elastic cord, forexample. The elastic member may extend internally through a portion ofthe or each upper support bar element.

The elements of the post, crossbar, side members, upper support barand/or the lower support bar, may be attached to other elements of thesame type or a different type via a connecting member. Typically, theconnecting member is not integrally formed with the components adjacentto which it is arranged in use.

An elastic member may extend through one or more post elements and beconnected to, directly or indirectly via a connector, a crossbarelement. An elastic member may extend through one or more post elementsand be connected to a further post element via a connector.

Typically, the connecting member is of substantially smaller height thanthe elements it is connecting. Suitably, the width and length, or in thecase of a cylindrical connector the diameter, of the connector issubstantially the same as at least one of the elements is it connecting.

Preferably, when a connector is connecting post elements, crossbarselements, or post and crossbar elements, the width and length, or in thecase of a cylindrical connector the diameter, of the connector issubstantially the same as the elements.

A connector may comprise attachment means operable to form a detachableattachment to the post and/or crossbar. Preferably, the connectorcomprises a first attachment means and a second attachment means,wherein the first attachment means requires more energy to remove thatthe second attachment means. The first attachment means may be in theform of a rivet, the second attachment means may be in the form of aspring clip.

Preferably, when a connector is connecting post elements or crossbarselements to a side member element the width and length, or in the caseof a cylindrical connector the diameter, of the connector is larger thanthat of the side member elements.

A connector, post, crossbar, side member, upper support bar and/or lowersupport bar may comprise an internal attachment means to which anelastic member may be secured. Typically, the elastic member may besecured by forming an attachment to a projection in the internal cavityof the connector, post, crossbar, side member, upper support bar and/orlower support bar, and/or by extending the elastic member through anaperture arranged in the connector, post, crossbar, side member, uppersupport bar and/or lower support bar, preferably in the internal cavity,and attaching to the elastic member, or forming integrally therein, aholding portion that is unable to pass through the aperture duringnormal use.

A connector, post and/or crossbar may comprise an at least partiallyinternal bore operably to receive a side member. Preferably, operable toform a close fit with the side member.

Suitably, the internal bore may have a cross-section of a differentshape to the cross-section of the side member to be received, forexample the side member may have a substantially circular cross-sectionwhereas the cross-section of the bore may a tear shape, i.e.substantially rounded but having a pointed corner. Preferably, at leasta portion of the internal face of the bore is substantially planar.Preferably, the bore comprises a fitting member operably to allow thebore to form a close fit with the side member. Preferably, the sidemember operable to be received in the bore comprises a cross-sectionoperable to form a close fit with the bore comprising the fittingmember. Preferably, the fitting member comprises a projection into thecavity of the bore. Preferably, the bore comprises a rib extendinglongitudinally at long at least part of the internal cavity of the bore,wherein the rib allows the bore to form a close fit with a portion ofthe side member, preferably a portion of a side member of substantiallycircular cross-section.

Advantageously, the above configuration permits for improvedmanufacturing, provides a more uniform wall thickness around the bore,reduces shrinkage, and reduces stresses on the component that may resultfrom uneven wall thickness.

The bore may be arranged inside the connector, post or crossbar suchthat the walls around the bore provide a fixing point around which anelastic member may be secured, for example, by forming a closed loop ofthe elastic around the walls of the bore.

A connector may comprise portions of variable width and length.Preferably, the connector comprises a portion of width and lengthsuitable to be inserted into a post and/or crossbar element.

Suitably, the elastic cord may be terminated within a connector. Theelastic cord may be terminated by attachment to a connector.

The system preferably comprises securing means operable in use to allowthe net and or the cover to be detachably secured to the frame, in use.

The securing means may be situated on the net. The securing means may besituated on the cover.

In one embodiment, the securing means may allow for a portion of the netto secure to a further portion of the net. In this manner, the net maybe wrapped around the frame and secured to itself.

In one embodiment, the securing means may allow for a portion of thecover to secure to a further portion of the cover. In this manner, thecover may be wrapped around the frame and secured to itself.

In one embodiment, the frame may additionally or alternatively comprisesecuring means. Securing means on the frame may be arranged and operableto cooperate with securing means on the net or cover. For example, in ahook and loop arrangement or similar.

The cover may be formed from a substantially weatherproof material.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of theabove aspects and in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodimentsof the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective partially exploded front view of acollapsible team shelter according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective partially exploded rear view of a collapsibleteam shelter according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a collapsible team shelter accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a portion ofthe collapsible team shelter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portion ofthe collapsible team shelter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective part-cutaway view of the frame of acollapsible team shelter according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4a shows a perspective part-cutaway view of a portion of the frameof FIG. 4;

FIG. 4b shows a perspective part-cutaway view of a portion of the frameof FIG. 4;

FIG. 4c shows a perspective part-cutaway view of a portion of the frameof FIG. 4;

FIG. 4d shows a perspective partially exploded view of a portion of theframe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a frame of a collapsible team shelteraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of a portion of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5b shows a rear plan view of the portion of FIG. 5a along line B;

FIG. 5c shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 5a along the lineC-C′;

FIG. 5d shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 5a along the lineA-A′ of FIG. 5 c;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a frame of the collapsible teamshelter according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a shows a perspective partially-exploded view of a portion of theframe of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 6a along the lineE-E′;

FIG. 6c shows a part-cutaway view of the portion of FIG. 6a along thedirection of line G;

FIG. 6d shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 6a along the lineC-C′ of FIG. 6 c;

FIG. 6e shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 6a along the lineD-D′ of FIG. 6 c;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a frame of a collapsible team shelteraccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7a shows a side part-cutaway view of a portion of the frame of FIG.7;

FIG. 7b shows a sectional view of the portion of FIG. 7a along the lineF-F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 4 d show a first embodiment of a collapsible team shelter 102according to the present invention. Collapsible team shelter 102 isformed of frame 104, cover 110 and net 108. Frame 104 has two postsections 112, crossbar section 118, two side members 122, a lowersupport bar 126 and an upper support bar 130.

Each post section 112 is formed of a linear hollow plastic cylindricallower post element 114 b and 114 c respectively and an upper hollowplastic cylindrical post element 114 a and 114 d respectively. The postelements of post sections 112 are detachably joined together bysubstantially hollow plastic cylindrical post joining element 158 and158 a respectively. Post sections 112 are arranged in a verticalorientation.

Horizontally orientated crossbar 118 is formed of three linear hollowplastic cylindrical crossbar elements 120 a, 120 b and 120 c. Crossbarelements 120 a and 120 b are detachably joined together at onerespective end by hollow plastic cylindrical crossbar joining element164 a. The other end of crossbar element 120 b is detachably joined toan end of crossbar element 120 c by crossbar joining element 164.

Each of posts 112 are attached to a respective end of crossbar 118 viacorner connectors 162. Corner connectors 162 are of a substantiallyhollow cylindrical tube having a first cylindrical section arranged atright angles to a second cylindrical section. The first section ofcorner connector 162 is slotted into an upper end of posts 112 andsecured in place by the application of a rivet 144 a through cooperatingapertures in the upper end of posts 112 and the first section of cornerconnector 162. The second section of corner connectors 162 is slottedinto a respective end of crossbar 118 and secured in place by thepassage of a projection on a spring clips 142 arranged in the secondsection of corner connectors 162 through cooperating apertures in thecrossbar 118.

The posts 112 and crossbar 118 thus joined form a planer three-sidedrectangular structure that when placed on a surface defines rectangularopening 166.

Posts 112 have running along at least a portion thereof elastic cord 116an 116 a. Post connector 158 has laterally extending solid disc 168extending across the internal cavity of the connector. Disc 168 iscontinuous apart from a central aperture through which elastic cord 116is passed. The portion of cord 116 arranged below the underside face ofdisc 168 is in the form of a knot of sufficient size to prevent passagethrough the aperture of disc 168. The cord 116 extends from the knotthrough the apertures of disc 168 and the internal cavity of postelement 114 a up to corner connector 162. Corner connector 162 also hasa disc (not shown) extending across the internal cavity of theconnector, the disc is continuous apart from an aperture through whichthe end of cord 116 is passed. The portion of cord 116 arranged at theother side of the aperture is in the form of a knot of sufficient sizeto prevent passage through the aperture of the disc.

In use, post element 114 a may be disconnected from post connector 158and corner connector 162 and yet maintain a connection to the remainingpost connecter 114 b and the crossbar 118. Such an elasticatedconnection permits the components to be folded and arranged in acollapsed state (not shown) whilst still maintaining a connection toallow for easy assembly.

Post elements 114 c and 114 d are arranged in a similar manner exceptthat elastic cord 116 a is not terminated at post connector 158 a.Rather cord 116 a extends through connector 158 a and post element 114 cand is attached to tube 146 a in foot connector 160 by forming a closedloop of cord 116 a around the tube 146 a.

Side members 122 are formed of side member elements 124 a, 124 b, 124 cand 124 d. Cylindrical side members 124 a, 124 b, 124 c and 124 d areconnected such as to form substantially crescent shaped side members122.

Linear horizontally orientated lower support bar 126 is formed of linearcylindrical lower support bar elements 128 a, 128 b and 128 c, whereinsupport bar element 128 b is attached at one end to element 128 a and atthe other end to element 128 c. Each end of lower support bar 126 isattached to a side member 122 towards the lower corner of the apex ofthe side member 122.

Linear horizontally orientated upper support bar 130 is formed of linearcylindrical upper support bar elements 132 a, 132 b and 132 c, whereinsupport bar element 132 b is attached at one end to element 132 a and atthe other end to element 132 c. Each end of upper support bar 130 isattached to a side member 122 towards the upper corner of the apex ofside member 122.

Corner connectors 162 further have internal hollow cylindrical tubes 146extending laterally along the join of the first and section sections ofthe connector 162. Tubes 146 are closed at one end and open at theother, wherein the open ends of the tubes 146 project slightly outwardlyfrom a side wall of connectors 162. The non-side member element attachedends of side member elements 124 d are inserted into the tubes 146 ofconnectors 162. Side member elements 124 d are attached to theconnectors 162 such that the side members extend perpendicularly awayfrom crossbar 118 and posts 112.

The lower ends of posts 112 and the non-side member element attachedends of side member elements 124 c are attached via foot connectors 160.Foot connectors 160 are in the form of an open-ended cylinder whereinthe upper open end of the connectors 160 is inserted into the lower endsof posts 112 and secured in place by rivet 144 b. Foot connectors 160have internal hollow laterally extending tubes 146 a extending along thebase of the connectors. Tubes 146 a are closed at one end and open atthe other, wherein the open end of tubes 146 a project slightlyoutwardly of a side wall of connectors 160. The non-side member elementattached end of side member elements 124 c are inserted into the tubes146 a of connectors 160. Side member elements 124 c are attached toconnectors 160 such that the side members extend perpendicularly awayfrom posts 112.

In this arrangement, side members 122, upper support bar 130 and lowersupport bar 126 form a supporting structure extending from the rear faceof the structure formed by the posts 112 and crossbar 118 when the frame104 is in the erect position (shown).

When frame 104 is in the erect position net 108 may be detachablyattached to the frame such as to form a porous barrier around the facesof the supporting structure. In use, this arrangement permits aprojectile, such as a football, to enter the interior cavity of frame104 through opening 166 and be held within, or at least prevented frompassing through, the faces of the supporting structure.

Furthermore, when frame 104 is in the erect position waterproof cover110 may be detachably attached to the frame such as to provide awaterproof barrier around the faces of the supporting structure. In sucha configuration users may enter the shelter through opening 166 andobtain protecting from the elements, such as wind and/or rain. Toencourage airflow, window 154 is provided in the cover 110.

Cover 110 is detachably attached to frame 104 by a plurality ofattachment means 134. Attachment means 134 are formed of elastic loop136 and toggle 138. Elastic loop 136 is attached to edge of cover 110with toggle 138 is attached to the cover slightly inwards therefrom. Inuse, the edges of cover 110 are arranged around the cylindrically shapedposts 112 and crossbar 118 until loop 136 may engage toggle 138 such asto hold the cover 110 around the post 112 or the crossbar 118.

In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of toggles 538 may be attachedto posts 112 and crossbar 118 such that, in use, the loops 536 ofattachment means 534 are passed around the posts 112 and the crossbar118 until the loops 536 may engage toggles 538 such as to hold the cover110 around the post 112 or the crossbar 118.

FIGS. 5 to 5 d show a second embodiment of a collapsible team shelter202 according to the present invention. Shelter 202 is arranged andworks in the same manner as shelter 102 except that the elastic cord 216is terminated in the corner connectors by forming an attachment tointernal projection 252.

Also shown in second embodiment is rib 250. Rib 250 is present but notshown in the first embodiment. Rib 250 projects into the cavity of tube246 and serves to hold the side frame in place while maintaining aconstant wall thickness in the part which stops shrinkage in part duringthe moulding process.

FIGS. 6 to 6 e show a third embodiment of a collapsible team shelter 302according to the present invention. Shelter 302 is arranged and works inthe same manner as shelters 102 and 202 except that the frame does nothave an upper support bar and the posts are formed of one element.

FIGS. 7 to 7 b show a fourth embodiment of a collapsible team shelter402 according to the present invention. Shelter 402 is arranged andworks in the same manner as shelters 102 and 202 except both posts 412have the elastic cord terminated at the post connectors.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filedconcurrently with or previous to this specification in connection withthis application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

1. A collapsible goal and shelter system, the system comprising; acollapsible frame comprising a plurality of frame members, thecollapsible frame having a first, erect configuration, and a second,collapsed configuration; the frame defining an opening in the erectconfiguration; the system further comprising a net operable to beattached to the frame, when the frame is in the erect configuration tothereby form a goal; and the system further comprising a cover operableto be attached to the frame, when the frame is in the erectconfiguration to thereby form a shelter.
 2. A system according to claim1, wherein the frame comprises two posts, which are operable to beupwardly extending when the frame is in the erect configuration, theposts each being formed from two or more post elements, which aredetachably connectable, the two or more post elements being looselysecured together by an elastic member.
 3. A system according to claim 1,wherein the frame comprises a crossbar, which is operable to besubstantially horizontally extending when the frame is in the erectconfiguration, the crossbar being formed from two or more crossbarelements which are detachably connectable, the two or more cross barelements being loosely secured together by an elastic member.
 4. Asystem according to claim 3, wherein the system comprises an elasticmember and two posts and the elastic member extends through a portion ofat least one post, of the two posts and through a portion of thecrossbar, and/or a crossbar connected connector, when present, such asto loosely secure together at least a portion of the post and at least aportion of the crossbar.
 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein theframe comprises two side members, the side members each being formedfrom at least two side member elements which are detachably connectable,wherein in the erect configuration each side member is attachable at ortoward each end thereof to each of the two posts, the two or more sidemember elements being loosely secured together by an elastic member. 6.A system according to claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a lowersupport bar, the lower support bar being formed from at least two lowersupport bar elements which are detachably connectable, wherein in theerect configuration the lower support bar is operable to connect betweenthe two side members, the two or more lower support bar elements beingloosely secured together by an elastic member.
 7. A system according toclaim 6, wherein the frame comprises an upper support bar, the uppersupport bar being formed from at least two upper support bar elementswhich are detachably connectable, wherein in the erect configuration theupper support bar is operable to connect between the two side members,two or more upper support bar elements being loosely secured together byan elastic member.
 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein at leasttwo elements of the elements of post of the two posts, the crossbar,aside member of the side members, the upper support bar and the lowersupport bar are attached to another elements of the same type or adifferent type via a connecting member.
 9. A system according to claim8, wherein at least one connecting member comprises attachment meansoperable to form a detachable attachment to the post and/or crossbar,the at least one, connecting member comprising a first attachment meansand a second attachment means, wherein the first attachment meansrequires more energy to remove than the second attachment means.
 10. Asystem according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the connectingmember, a post of the two posts, the crossbar, a side member of the sidemembers, the upper support bar and the lower support bar, include aninternal attachment means to which an elastic member may be secured. 11.A system according to claim 8, wherein the connecting member, a post ofthe two posts, and/or the crossbar include an at least partiallyinternal bore operable to receive a side member, the at least partiallyinternal bore operable to form a close fit with the side member.
 12. Asystem according to claim 11, wherein the at least, partially internalbore has a cross-section of a different shape to the cross-section ofthe side member to be received, the side member having a substantiallycircular cross-section and the cross-section of the at least partiallyinternal bore having a tear shape.
 13. A system according to claim 11,wherein the internal bore comprises a fitting member operably to allowthe at least partially internal bore to form a close fit with the sidemember, the fitting member comprising a projection into the cavity ofthe at least partially internal bore.
 14. A system according to claim11, wherein the at least partially internal bore is arranged inside theat least one connecting member, at least one post or crossbar such thatthe walls around the at least, partially internal bore provide a fixingpoint around which an elastic member may be secured.
 15. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises securingmeans operable in use to allow the net and or the cover to be detachablysecured to the frame.
 16. A system according to claim 2, wherein theframe comprises a crossbar, which is operable to be substantiallyhorizontally extending when the frame is in the erect configuration, thecrossbar being formed from two or more crossbar elements which aredetachably connectable, the two or more cross bar elements being looselysecured together by an elastic member.
 17. A system according to claim8, wherein the connecting member, a post of the two posts, and/or thecrossbar include an at least partially internal bore operable to receivea side member, wherein the at least partially internal bore has across-section of a different shape to the cross-section of the sidemember to be received, wherein the internal bore comprises a fittingmember operably to allow the at least partially internal bore to form aclose fit with the side member, and wherein the at least partiallyinternal bore is arranged inside the at least one connecting member, atleast one post or crossbar such that the walls around the at leastpartially internal bore provide a fixing point around which an elasticmember may be secured.
 18. A system according to claim 11, wherein theat least partially internal bore has a cross-section of a differentshape to the cross-section of the side member to be received.
 19. Asystem according to claim 12, wherein the internal bore comprises afitting member operably to allow the at least partially internal bore toform a close fit with the side member, the fitting member comprising aprojection into the cavity of the at least partially internal bore. 20.A system according to claim 12, wherein the at least partially internalbore is arranged inside the at least one connecting member, at least onepost or crossbar such that the walls around the at least partiallyinternal bore provide a fixing point around which an elastic member maybe secured.